Tune into any cooking show, and you'll see that the majority of celebrity chefs work at butcher block kitchen islands and counters. Top chefs don't just choose butcher block islands because their hardwood surfaces enhance the beauty of kitchen spaces; butcher blocks are also extremely practical. The surfaces of butcher blocks are ideal for performing food preparation tasks like chopping and rolling dough.

The high demand for butcher block kitchen islands has led to manufacturers creating a wide variety of designs to suit every decor and offer useful special features to enhance the utility of the islands. To help you browse through the vast array of options available from manufacturers, we've created our Buyers' Guide to Butcher Block Kitchen Islands. The guide creates an easy-to-follow step-by-step approach to help you pick the perfect kitchen island quickly.

Step 1: Pick Your Size

Start your search for your butcher block kitchen island by determining what size you need to fit your space. Here are some tips to help you.

• Measure the spot in your kitchen, where your kitchen island will be placed. The easiest way to do this is to clear the area and use masking tape to create a diagram of the island. Then, you can easily measure the sides with a measuring tape to determine your ideal length and width.
• Ensure that you leave 30 to 36 inches of space on each side of the kitchen island where you need to maintain a safe walkway. Islands in the middle of the room need 30 to 36 inches of space on all sides.
• To comfortably perform one task at your island, you'll need 18 to 25 inches of width. For each additional 18 to 25 inches of space, you'll have the ability to set up a second complete work station at your island.
• If you want to use your island for seating, you'll need roughly 24 inches of width at the butcher block top for each person that you want to be able to accommodate.
• The standard height for kitchen islands is 36 inches. This height is ideal for a working surface for anyone of average height, which is 5'4" to 5'10". Shorter people often benefit from islands that are 33 to 35 inches tall, while taller people generally prefer islands that are over 36 inches in height.

Step 2: Choose Your Block

Once you have determined the ideal size for your butcher block kitchen island, you'll next want to think about the block. When comparing the butcher blocks found in various island styles, you'll want to look at two key elements:

• The Wood type of the block will help determine how durable your butcher block is as well as how it will suit the colors in your kitchen. Maple is the strongest hardwood available from most butcher block manufacturers and has a neutral, light brown color that suits most types of kitchen decor. Other hardwoods may be featured in butcher blocks as well. Listed from hardest and most durable to softest and least durable, they are: birch (similar in color to maple), red oak (golden colored with a slight red tint), black walnut (rich dark brown color) and cherry (warm red color).
• The Grain
of your butcher block top is the term given to the appearance of the wood rails that form its surface.


• Edge grain blocks are made by joining long rails positioned one above the other. This gives the block a faint look of horizontal stripes and provides an even, uniform color
• End grain blocks are made by joining just the end pieces of rails, which are positioned side by side and top to bottom like a checkerboard. This creates more color variation in the surface, but allows for an extremely durable work surface.
• Blended grain blocks are made by joining shorter rails positioned one above the other and end to end. The joints of the rails are visible on all sides, making the surface look like it is made of wooden bars.

Step 3: Choose Your Base

The majority of the bases for butcher block kitchen islands are made from wood. You can choose styles that have a natural finish that coordinates with the block or a painted finish that contrasts with your butcher block and draws attention to the natural beauty of its wood. In wood bases, styles range from open designs that look similar to a table to fully enclosed bases that resemble freestanding cabinets.

A small number of butcher block kitchen islands have stainless steel bases. These designs are typically similar to tables and have a sleek, modern appearance.

Step 4: Select Storage Options and Special Features

A vast array of storage options and special features are available in butcher block kitchen island styles. We've compiled a nearly exhaustive list of these elements and provided a brief description of how they improve the function of kitchen islands. As you peruse the selections, make a list of must-have features for your island and a separate list of the other appealing features that are not as crucial to your home. Having two lists will make it easy for you to compare kitchen island styles.

• Built-in cutting boards are sturdy, durable wooden panels that slide out from under the butcher block top. These built-in cutting boards provide an additional working surface. Since they can usually be removed completely from the island and taken to the sink for cleaning, they are perfect for messy tasks.


• Drop leafs are hinged wooden panels that can be raised and lowered when you need extra counter space. Typically, drop leafs are larger than built-in cutting boards, giving you extra room. Unlike the cutting boards, the drop leafs are more difficult to remove for cleaning.


• Drawers are storage compartments that roll along a metal track within your kitchen island, allowing them to slide in and out. The space within drawers makes them perfect for storing small items. You will usually have to keep the drawers closed to work at the butcher block.


• Open shelves are surfaces that run parallel to the butcher block and are intended to store items. Islands may have just one shelf or a series of two or three shelves stacked one above the other. Some butcher block kitchen islands pair open shelves with cabinets and feature shelves that do not extend the full length of the island. Keep the layout of the shelves in mind if you want to use your island for seating; the number and the position of the shelves may make it hard for people to sit at the island without bumping the stored items with their feet.


• Wicker baskets are included with some kitchen islands, particularly with rustic and country designs. In addition to being attractive, baskets are versatile storage elements and can be placed on shelves to be used as bins and lifted to the worktop for easy access to small items as you work. Some kitchen islands have the wicker baskets mounted under their tops, sliding in and out like drawers.


• Hinged doors resemble cabinets and open to reveal your stored items, keeping your kitchen looking tidy. Today's kitchen islands are available with both solid doors and doors that are fitted with glass for a more decorative appearance. The doors may appear on just one side of the island or be on both sides. Some home chefs prefer open shelves to hinged doors, as the doors require you to step back from the work surface each time that you need to open them and access your equipment.


• Towel racks are bars that are mounted on the side or front of your kitchen island and are designed to keep a folded dish towel within easy reach as you work. You can also purchase hooks to convert your towel rack into a utensil holder.


• Utensil hooks are metal hooks that are mounted to the sides of some kitchen islands. The hooks are designed to hold one frequently-used utensil to make it easy to reach over and grab it when you need it.


• Knife holders are simple slits in the surface of the butcher block or the side of the island. Knife blades fit securely into these slits, keeping them ready for when you need to cut.


• Pot racks resemble canopies and have hooks that are intended for hanging pots and pans. Found on some islands, pot racks keep your pots and pans overhead for your convenience and can also extend the life of your cookware by allowing you to store the pieces separately rather than stacked inside of a cabinet.


• Wine racks feature either cubicles or flat, sliding wooden racks that are intended to hold wine bottles. The design of wine racks allows you to keep your wine bottles stored flat, which prevents the corks from drying out and breaking when you open older vintages.

Step 5: Start Shopping

Now you should have a clear picture of the ideal butcher block island for your home kitchen. Today's top manufacturers offer a wide variety of styles to match everything from modern, minimalist designs to country kitchen spaces. Deciding what style will best suit your current decor will be the last important element in selecting your new kitchen island.